At 16 years old, surfer Manoa Tarroux , representing Vanuatu Surfing Association (VSA) , has created history for Vanuatu by winning Heat 22 in the U/18 division at the 2025 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Peru. International Surfing Association+1

This marks the first ever ISA heat win for Vanuatu, putting the island nation on the international junior surfing map. International Surfing Association

The Championship is being held at Punta Rocas, Peru from December 5-14, 2025. International Surfing Association+1

Tarroux said he is very happy to win and proud to represent Vanuatu , a milestone that shows the potential of Vanuatu’s surf talent on the world stage.

His win marks a milestone and a historic moment for the sport in Vanuatu, and is also his second appearance on an international stage like this.

VBTV Sports could not reach his coach due to technical internet issues, but they managed to contact the President of the Vanuatu Surfing Association.

The small Vanuatu team has received positive comments from the competition’s commentators.

Following their first international competition in El Salvador, Central America, in September this year, this event marks the second international competition for the Vanuatu junior team.

Manoa said he is very happy to represent Vanuatu and proud to make his name on an international stage like this.

The Vanuatu surfers participating in the World Junior Competition are TARROUX, Sacha and Danylo.

One of the goals of the Vanuatu Surfing Association’s national coach, Ben Johnson, is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.